Smoke jacks, clockwork & steam jacks, turn spit

Spits were used to roast meat before the fire. They vary from a simple spit on the andirons to mechanically run ones that used the power of the 'smoke'/heat in the chimney [smoke jack, pictured] to clock jack, among others.

Mechanical Roasting on the Hearth by Dr. Alice Ross
Clann Tartan
Benjamin Huntsman 1704 - 1776

Clockwork jack--NH Strawbery Banke, Pitt Tavern Portsmouth
Roasting jacks
Roasting jacks--MA The Salem Cross Inn, Olde Brookfeild
Steam jack

Bottlejack; two-spindle jack; clockwork; counterweight
Bottle Spit -- 'roasting-jack' in Great Expectations glossary
Dangle spit --Galley Firebox .. The Tudor Group
Dutch oven, with basting spoon and cylindrical clockwork jack, 1850-1900

Smoke jack/turbine. Aston Hall UK





©2009 Patricia Bixler Reber

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